L.A. Snub Baffles Behring
Ken Behring seems perplexed by the negative reaction he’s been receiving in Los Angeles since he announced he was moving the Seahawks to Southern California.
“Normally, when a NFL team moves to a new city, that city gets behind it,” Behring told Doug Krikorian of the Long Beach (Calif.) Press Telegram. “But that certainly hasn’t been the case since we decided to move to L.A.
“I can understand Seattle being upset with me. But why wouldn’t L.A. be backing us? I really don’t understand it. I’m certainly not moving for money. What am I getting? So far, nothing. If it was just money I wanted, I know I’d get a lot more from Cleveland, or some other city looking for an NFL team.
“Does L.A. think it would be better off with an expansion team? The Seahawks are a good, young, competitive team right now. And I’m sure if we win, we’ll get strong backing in L.A. I’m still confident we’re going to win our lawsuit and play in L.A. But it could get to a point were there is so much opposition that I’ll say, ‘The heck with it,’ and go in another direction,” he resumes. “Life is just too short to put up with all this stuff.”
“I’ve got a funny reason for wanting to come to L.A. I grew up extremely poor in Monroe, Wisconsin. I lived next to the railroad tracks, and dressed kind of funny and didn’t have much self-assurance.
“Then I went out for sports, and found out I was as good as anyone else. It was the one venue in which everyone was equal, and the way you dress, or where you came from didn’t matter. What I’d like to do in L.A. is build a massive sports complex next to a new stadium, and have this sports complex serve as an educational tool for kids who are in the same kind of circumstances I once was.”
Simmons signs rich deal
Ed Simmons, whose durability and consistency made him the anchor of the Washington Redskins offensive line last season, passed up a chance at free agency by signing a three-year deal worth $6 million.
The former Eastern Washington University star, who opened holes for Terry Allen as the Redskins running game flourished in December, missed only three downs all season on a line plagued by injuries.
Around the league
After four losing seasons in five years under Bill Belichick, Baltimore owner Art Modell fired the head coach. … The 49ers picked up the $2.4 million contract option on safety Tim McDonald. … Former San Francisco running back Roger Craig said he’d like to come back next season. … Desperate for offensive line help, the New York Jets signed veteran tackle David Williams. … Free-agent quarterback Jeff George said he wants to remain with the Atlanta Falcons and is willing to take less money if it would help the team keep other key free agents. … Receiver Don Beebe and tight end Pete Metzelaars were cut by Carolina.